“On December 20th, 2017, the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), in the spirit of transparency and to avoid a perceived conflict of interest, requested that the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) conduct an independent investigation into the paramedic care received by 19-year-old Yosif Al-Hasnawi, who was the victim of a homicide,” a press release from the NRPS said Thursday.

“Mr. Al-Hasnawi died on December 2nd, 2017, after coming to the aid of an older man who was being harassed by two males on Sanford Avenue North near Main Street East in the City of Hamilton,” the press release said. “Dale Burningsky King and James Matheson have been charged by the Hamilton Police Service in connection with the death of Mr. Al-Hasnawi.”

It was reported in the news after the incident that the paramedics did not help the victim as he complained of severe pain and that they delayed transporting the victim from the scene to the hospital.

Investigators from across the NRPS were brought together to investigate the actions of the attending paramedics.

As a result of the investigation, 53-year-old Steven Snively of Hamilton was arrested Wednesday Aug. 1/2018, 29-year-old Christopher Marchant of Whitby was arrested Thursday Aug. 2/2018.

The men are facing charges of: Failure to Provide the Necessaries of Life contrary to section 215 of the Criminal Code.

“This was a complex and intricate investigation that required the careful consideration of all available evidence to our investigative team. Our investigators carried out a fulsome investigation which consisted of an extensive canvass and interviews with over 60 witnesses. In the course of the seven month investigation, detectives examined numerous documents, video and audio recordings and consulted with healthcare professionals to help inform their investigative decisions.

This was a very difficult and challenging case for our investigators, who will continue to work with the Crown Attorneys Office during the prosecution phase of this case as it proceeds through the Courts. While our investigation has concluded, we recognize that this continues to be a very tragic situation for the family of the deceased and our thoughts and condolences certainly go out to them.” – Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch.

Both men have been released on an Officer in Charge Undertaking with a Promise to Appear in Hamilton court Tuesday, Sept. 11/2018, in Hamilton.